ESPN NFL Draft analyst Matt Miller discussed the red flag of Rueben Bain having sub-31-inch arms during a Wednesday appearance on the Rich Eisen Show. No player has ever been selected in the first round of the NFL Draft with sub-31-inch arms per Miller.
Per Miller the closest player to being drafted in the first round with sub-31-inch arms was Aiden Hutchinson of the Detroit Lions at 32 1/8 inches. Hutchinson has become one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL, being named second-team All-Pro in 2025.
Miller acknowledged that Bain will become the first prospect drafted in the first round with sub-31-inch arms. A player with sub-31-inch arms has never had 10 sacks in a season. The question about Bain per Miler was in relation to the Kansas City Chiefs is do you take a player at nine, saying, "he's going to break the mold?"
Miller told Eisen that he asked an NFL General Manager that question and was told, "We'll let someone else be smarter than us. We trust the numbers that say this player is probably not going to have the success that he needs to have to be drafted in the top 10 or top 15 picks."
"Fowler's intel: Bain is firmly on Kansas City's radar...It will be interesting to see if the Chiefs, who have worked the phones, sense the Saints would take Bain and try to maneuver. Some people I've talked to think that's at least a possibility."Jeremy Fowler, ESPN
Discussing Bain's strengths
Miller seems to be higher on Bain than the NFL General Manager he spoke to, stating, "For Ruben Bain, it's power. Like that's his game, power, not so much speed. So I'm not as concerned about it, but it will be fascinating to see if there is a slip because of it."
Miller used info from NFL scouts and evaluators to power his final NFL mock draft. Bain is projected to be selected ninth by Miller to Kansas City. Miller stated, "Bain's sub-31-inch arm length is not a concern...Bain's speed and power off the edge are seen as difference-making traits."
Per Miller, Kansas City appears to be the team to watch for Bain in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Bain is ninth on the ESPN 2026 NFL Draft big board. Kansas City picking ninth would be equal value for Bain per his projection. David Bailey of Texas Tech is the only defensive lineman rated higher than Bain in the 2026 Draft Class.
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